Has anyone looked underneath a Trik Trailers or similar 'light duty' 6x4, who can comment on their chassis construction etc? Do they use angle iron, SHS, and in what sizes?
The reason I ask is that I currently have a TSO (trailer shaped object) taking up space in my driveway that I probably paid too much for, and that was either photographed very carefully, or luckily. Estimating the cost of repair at the moment, and its heading towards a total investment fairly close to one of these brand new light duty trailers, I just don't know whether I'd have a better trailer at the end of it than I could have just gone out and bought.
In brief, the sides/gaurds/front/tailgate are all fine. In good shape apart from the bottom inch in a few smaller sections, but I have a suitable piece of 1.6mm sheet lying around I haven't found a use for in the last 6 years or so to make repairs where needed.
The floor is stuffed, I knew that when I bought it.
The drawbar has been cracked on one side, and welded back up, has also for some bizzare reason had what appears to be aluminium tube inserted in both sides from the front, as well as two narrow bits of aluminium angle screwed on across the welded section. It's made from 50x50x1.6 SHS, which appears mostly sound, but with surface rust on the inside. I don't really trust it....
The chassis... well. It consists of 35x35x3 angle running around the perimeter of the floor, with about three 25x25x3 pieces of angle running across from side to side under the floor. Seems solid enough rustwise, all the central supports are bowed down as its obviously been loaded past its intended usage, but could be straightened easy enough. It just seems... a very weak construction.
The axle is obviously a hollow tube with stubs welded in, going by the dents, and the camber on it :doh: This of course has resulted in the inside edge of the tyres being worn out.
The lights are also stuffed, but I have some novelty oversize LED lights kicking around someone gave me, which can be made to fit with a little modification to where they mount.
So my thoughts were basically that I'd need to construct an entirely new chassis and drawbar, and replace the axle. I was thinking 75x50x2.5 drawbar, with 40x40x2 chassis, and replace the axle with solid 39mm. New floor, put the old top back on with small repairs as necessary, and replace the tyres, the bulk of it is done. Only problem is, as I mentioned earlier, I'm estimating my total cost of the completed trailer to be the same as buying a Trik etc light duty trailer but with a lot more effort. So if it's not going to end up considerably stronger, there's no point.
It's also probably worth noting that the Trik light duty trailer is probably not really ideal for my usage either. Putting a dirtbike or two on, no problem. But I'm likely to want to go and pick up some firewood every now and then, or some form of small machine tool (I've moved a 450kg lathe on a trailer before, and can see similar happening again).
Opinions, observations?
The reason I ask is that I currently have a TSO (trailer shaped object) taking up space in my driveway that I probably paid too much for, and that was either photographed very carefully, or luckily. Estimating the cost of repair at the moment, and its heading towards a total investment fairly close to one of these brand new light duty trailers, I just don't know whether I'd have a better trailer at the end of it than I could have just gone out and bought.
In brief, the sides/gaurds/front/tailgate are all fine. In good shape apart from the bottom inch in a few smaller sections, but I have a suitable piece of 1.6mm sheet lying around I haven't found a use for in the last 6 years or so to make repairs where needed.
The floor is stuffed, I knew that when I bought it.
The drawbar has been cracked on one side, and welded back up, has also for some bizzare reason had what appears to be aluminium tube inserted in both sides from the front, as well as two narrow bits of aluminium angle screwed on across the welded section. It's made from 50x50x1.6 SHS, which appears mostly sound, but with surface rust on the inside. I don't really trust it....
The chassis... well. It consists of 35x35x3 angle running around the perimeter of the floor, with about three 25x25x3 pieces of angle running across from side to side under the floor. Seems solid enough rustwise, all the central supports are bowed down as its obviously been loaded past its intended usage, but could be straightened easy enough. It just seems... a very weak construction.
The axle is obviously a hollow tube with stubs welded in, going by the dents, and the camber on it :doh: This of course has resulted in the inside edge of the tyres being worn out.
The lights are also stuffed, but I have some novelty oversize LED lights kicking around someone gave me, which can be made to fit with a little modification to where they mount.
So my thoughts were basically that I'd need to construct an entirely new chassis and drawbar, and replace the axle. I was thinking 75x50x2.5 drawbar, with 40x40x2 chassis, and replace the axle with solid 39mm. New floor, put the old top back on with small repairs as necessary, and replace the tyres, the bulk of it is done. Only problem is, as I mentioned earlier, I'm estimating my total cost of the completed trailer to be the same as buying a Trik etc light duty trailer but with a lot more effort. So if it's not going to end up considerably stronger, there's no point.
It's also probably worth noting that the Trik light duty trailer is probably not really ideal for my usage either. Putting a dirtbike or two on, no problem. But I'm likely to want to go and pick up some firewood every now and then, or some form of small machine tool (I've moved a 450kg lathe on a trailer before, and can see similar happening again).
Opinions, observations?
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